AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - Tay Series
AD/TAY/9 Ultrasonic Inspection of LP Compressor Rotor
Blades
11/2003
DM
Applicability: Rolls Royce Tay 650-15 and -15/10 series engines with serial numbers as listed in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin (SB) TAY-72-1591.
Requirement: 1. Unless previously accomplished, carry out a one-time inspection and test of the Low Pressure (LP) compressor rotor blades, and as necessary replace the LP compressor rotor blade set and disc, in accordance with the accomplishment instructions contained in Rolls Royce SB TAY-72-1591.
2. If any cracks were detected during the inspection/test required by Requirement 2, remove the complete LP compressor rotor blade set and disc.
Note: German LBA AD 1998-055/2 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Within 2 months following the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2: Before further flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 September 2003.
Background: This Directive requires a one-off inspection and test of LP compressor rotor blades of particular engine serial numbers for which the manufacture has no record of shop visits or inspections/tests following issue of CAA (UK) AD 008-10-97 (subject of current AD/TAY/2 Amdt 1). The intent of this Directive is therefore to ensure all applicable engines, to which this Directive applies, are not operated with possibly cracked LP compressor rotor blades.
Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - Tay Series
AD/TAY/9 (continued)
As AD/TAY/2 Amdt 1 requires “repetitive inspections at every shop visit” of the engines, as contained in the Requirement document of that Directive, the Directive remains current and separate from this new Directive.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 10 September 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 September 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/TAY/9 in 2003 to address an unsafe condition identified in certain Rolls Royce Tay Series turbine engines. Specifically, this directive targets Tay 650-15 and -15/10 series engines with particular serial numbers, which were potentially not inspected after the issuance of the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 008-10-97. The primary concern is the possibility of cracked Low Pressure (LP) compressor rotor blades, which could compromise the safety of these engines if left unaddressed. This directive requires a one-off inspection and testing of the LP compressor rotor blades, with the replacement of the blade set and disc if necessary, as outlined in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin TAY-72-1591. The objective is to ensure that all affected engines are compliant with airworthiness standards, thus preventing the operation of engines with undetected defects.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Rolls Royce Tay 650-15 and -15/10 series engines, which must adhere to the serial numbers listed in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin (SB) TAY-72-1591. The directive is a mandatory requirement for the owners and operators of aircraft equipped with these particular engine models to ensure air safety and compliance with aviation regulations. It mandates a one-time inspection and test of the Low Pressure (LP) compressor rotor blades, with the replacement of the LP compressor rotor blade set and disc if necessary, in accordance with the instructions in Rolls Royce SB TAY-72-1591. Additionally, if any cracks are detected during the inspection, the complete LP compressor rotor blade set and disc must be removed. The directive also references German LBA AD 1998-05-5/2 for additional context. The compliance timeframes are set within two months from the effective date of the directive for the initial inspection and before further flight if cracks are detected. This AD is effective from 17 September 2003 and applies across the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The main sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section (section 1) specifies that the AD applies to Rolls Royce Tay 650-15 and -15/10 series engines with certain serial numbers listed in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin (SB) TAY-72-1591. The requirement section (section 2) mandates that a one-time inspection and test of the Low Pressure (LP) compressor rotor blades be carried out, and as necessary, the LP compressor rotor blade set and disc be replaced. If cracks are detected during the inspection, the complete LP compressor rotor blade set and disc must be removed. The compliance section (section 3) outlines the timeframes for compliance, with the one-time inspection and test to be completed within 2 months of the effective date of the AD, and the removal of the blade set and disc to occur before further flight.
The AD imposes obligations on the operators of the specified Rolls Royce Tay series engines to ensure that the required inspections and tests are performed, and any necessary replacements are carried out. Operators must comply with the accomplishment instructions contained in Rolls Royce SB TAY-72-1591, which likely includes detailed procedures for the inspection, test, and replacement of the LP compressor rotor blades. The AD also references German LBA AD 1998-05-5, indicating that the directive is consistent with international standards and recommendations.
Failure to comply with the AD could result in significant safety risks, as the purpose of the directive is to ensure that engines with potentially cracked LP compressor rotor blades are not operated. While the AD does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the potential consequences could include the grounding of non-compliant aircraft, which could lead to financial losses for operators and increased safety risks. Additionally, non-compliance could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, including fines or other sanctions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The exact penalties would depend on the circumstances of the non-compliance and any relevant regulations or policies in place at the time.